Michigan State picked up a huge commitment earlier today when 4-star defensive end prospect Tyler Hoover of Novi High School informed the Spartan staff he will be playing for the Green and White next year. SpartanMag.com has the details about Hoover's comitmnet.

We spoke with Hoover this everning and the 6-foot-7, 255-pound prospect confirmed to us that he had committed to Head Coach Mark Dantonio and the Michigan State Spartans.

The Spartans held a one-day camp today and Hoover was able to workout with the Michigan State coahces and develop and even better rapport with them.

After the camp was over, Hoover and his family were able to speak with Coach Dantonio and Coach Narduzzi and that is when Hoover informed the staff of his decision.

"I told Coach Dantonio that I wanted to come to State," Hoover said. "He was really excited. He called the whole staff and they all congratulated me and my family."

What was it about Michigan State that prompted Hoover to select the Spartans over 20 other scholarship offers including fellow Big Ten teams like Michigan, Wisconsin, Purdue and Minnesota?

"It was just the quality and character of the staff at Michigan State. They are doing things right and are looking to recruit players with character to help them win. I believe they are going to recruit some great players to Michigan State. I think is a good time to be a Spartan," Hoover said.

Hoover is rated a 4-star prospect by Rivals.com. He is ranked the #6 player in Michigan for the class of 2008 and a Rivals top 250 prospect.

How impressive if Coach Dantonio's recruitment of Hoover? In four year at the helm at Michigan State Coach John L. Smith was unable to beat the Wolverines for any in-state players. Coach Dantonio has won an important recruitning battle in his first year on the job. If he wins a few more key recruiting battles then Hoover's assesmnet that it is "good time to be a Spartan" could be very prophertic.